The New York Rangers head to Washington, and more NHL Games of the Week
There’s lots of NHL action to hear this week, and you can catch it all on SiriusXM NHL Network Radio.
Saturday, December 9th – 7 pm Eastern – SiriusXM 91
New York Rangers at Washington Capitals
It’s been a really impressive first two months of the season for the Rangers, who are leading the league in most key categories. Tonight, they visit a Capitals’ team that has arguably overachieved to this point in the campaign, even without star forward Nicklas Backstrom, lost to injury, and and without future HHOF sniper Alexander Ovechkin lighting the lamp at his usual prodigious rate.
Sunday, December 10th – 4 pm Eastern – SiriusXM 91
New Jersey Devils at Edmonton Oilers
Both of these teams did not get off to the starts expected of them, but if recent play is to be trusted, both clubs have regained their mojo, particularly the Oilers. The Devils had to make do without a trio of key players, while the Oilers had to make do without stellar goaltending, steady team defence, and an uncharacteristically cold start by superstar forwards Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
Monday, December 11th – 9:30 pm Eastern – SiriusXM 91
Calgary Flames at Colorado Avalanche
Just past the quarter mark of the 2023-24 NHL regular season, the Avalanche find themselves in a pitched battle for first place in the contentious Central Division, as expected. Meanwhile, the Flames find themselves slowly climbing the charts in the lower depths of the Western Conference. Not expected. It may not be early anymore (it isn’t), but it’s not necessarily too late for teams, but only if they get their act in gear right now. That appears to be the case with Calgary, but this will be a good test against one of the best teams in the West.
Tuesday, December 12th – 10 pm Eastern – SiriusXM 91
Tampa Bay Lightning at Vancouver Canucks
Are the Lightning still a Stanley Cup contender? Are the Canucks now a Stanley Cup contender? Time, as usual, will tell, but the journey so far has been a revelation for patient Vancouver fans. Their team is challenging Vegas for the top spot in the Pacific Division. Tampa finally has future NHL Hockey Hall-of-Fame goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy back between the pipes.
Wednesday, December 13th – 7 pm Eastern – SiriusXM 91
Pittsburgh Penguins at Montreal Canadiens
While most do not expect Les Canadiens to qualify for the playoffs this season, the team has proven tougher to beat this time around. People are split on whether or not the aging (yet very talented) Penguins will make the post-season cut come this April. In order to help their cause, these are the types of games Pittsburgh needs to win. They have to get their dormant powerplay going.
Thursday, December 14th – 7 pm Eastern – SiriusXM 91
Columbus Blue Jackets at Toronto Maple Leafs
They were floundering in last place in the Eastern Conference for the longest time, but the Jackets have recently shown signs of life. Tonight, they are in Toronto, facing a Maple Leafs team that many crowned the champs of the Atlantic Division even before the season began. So far, the Leafs appear headed towards another playoff berth, but whether it’ll be in the top three of their division remains to be seen. Some have already suggested Toronto would be better-served matchup-wise by being one of the two Eastern wildcard teams.
Friday, December 15th – 10 pm Eastern – SiriusXM 91
Buffalo Sabres at Vegas Golden Knights
The defending Stanley Cup Champion Golden Knights got off to a blistering start this season, and while nobody expected them to maintain that standard for 82 games, Vegas have cooled off a touch. Yet they remain a formidable team and are smack dab in the hunt for the top spot in the Pacific. As for the Sabres, they have so far been one of the great disappointments in the NHL. Were they a playoff team this year? Would they challenge for the top spot in the Atlantic? Now people are asking if Buffalo can get to .500.
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